This morning after leaving my daughters place near Walton Rd. and Baldwin Rd. in North Oakland County Michigan, I drove north on Baldwin Rd. passed some old familiar places I had frequented a long time ago when I was only 15 years of age. Being now 82 years past and having been mostly absent during my retirement for the past 20 years or so, I am truly amazed at the changes of lifestyles and "technology" that has taken place here.

Crossing Clarkston Rd, I recalled 67 years ago driving a herd of sheep around that curve following in a 1938 dodge pickup.

This morning it would be impossible in the bumper to bumper traffic that I found myself in.

It was 1939 that I as a young lad moved on to a large farm including that road intersection. My father moved the family there from the dust bowl of the mid west seeking a better life in a more progressive world. There he became a sheepherder of the farms flock.

At that time the farm was owned by the JL HUdson Merchantile Co and encompassed over 1000 acres.

It supported several families such as ours. The lakefield farm on which we lived is now called Heather Lake Estates.

What I am attempting to point out is that at the time, most of North Oakland County was agricultural rural farms that employed and supported many families. But now by my observations as I drove out this morning out Balwdin to Oakwood road was that the entire area is covered with newer homes. I cannot help but think that most of these homes carry large mortgages procured by low interest rates and held by huge bank investors.

These home buyers not only have the obligation to the rich investor, but also have very large utility and tax bills on these suburban homes.

Many people in this area and all around our great nation think the worlds resources are endless and I pray that they will be able to maintain this lifestyle. But I have seen what happens when the markets and large investors go to the shithole in the 1930's.

Be careful kids, put away some money for a rainy day or you may end up getting wet.